HSBC, the London-headquartered bank and financial services group, has made a senior hire to oversee global trade solutions across Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

HSBC has appointed Runa Baksi (pictured) as head of Southeast Asia for global trade solutions (GTS), part of the corporate and institutional banking business, with immediate effect. 

With over two decades of experience in banking and trade finance, Baksi will oversee HSBC’s GTS business across Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, the firm said in a statement. Most recently, she was managing director and country head of GTS for HSBC India. Prior to joining HSBC, Baksi held senior leadership positions in trade and transaction banking at DBS, Receivables Exchange of India and Deutsche Bank.

Based in Singapore, Baksi will report to Wong Kee Joo, chief executive officer of HSBC Singapore, and regional head of GTS Asia Aditya Gahlaut at a functional level.

“Singapore continues to serve as a critical hub for clients tapping into ASEAN’s sizable trade flows, Joo said. “Runa’s extensive expertise in trade finance and her strong track record will be instrumental in helping our clients navigate the evolving trade landscape by connecting them to new regions of growth. Her appointment reflects HSBC’s commitment to support the career ambitions of our top talents through international mobility.”

“Her deep understanding of client needs and market dynamics will enhance our ability to connect clients seamlessly across the region and beyond, driving innovation and delivering best-in-class solutions to support their trade and working capital requirements,” Gahlaut added.

At the end of June, the UK/Hong Kong-listed bank named Ann Ling as the new regional head of wealth planning and advisory for Asia-Pacific.